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7/1/14

Summer with Trader Joe's Week One --- The Classic BLT.

Most everyone has heard of Trader Joes, loves Trader Joes and shops there on a weekly/monthly basis. In my hometown of Asheville, NC TJs finally came last Fall. And, boy, has it been the talk of the town.

Finally, when I go around 9am, it's not full of people.... That is one of my biggest pet peeves... Shopping with lots and lots of other people. If I have to "fight for aisle space" it's not worth my time, or the terrible words I say in my mind.

This week's category is SANDWICHES. I like them. They are okay in my book. Unless it is a truly fantastic sandwich, I rarely eat them. Plus, I have been eating less and less gluten in my diet --- more on that another day though!

However, I have some people I can test out recipes on! And, this Classic Bacon Lettuce Tomato Sandwich turned out great --- two whisks up! ;-) (Don't you love a good pun!!)

A BLT screams SUMMER to me. Although I don't eat raw tomatoes, I love buying heirlooms, and using them in a good old fashioned BLT with mayo on nice soft bread.

While that is great, and a perfectly good meal with a nice cold Coca Cola, in a glass bottle... I wanted something a little different. Instead of soft, white bread, I used Trader Joe's Sourdough, and toasted it with butter. Because everything is better with butter. And, every BLT needs "glue" --- usually Duke's Mayo in our household. But, I mixed Trader Joe's Garlic Aioli with Duke's Light Mayo (trying to conserve calories somewhere....), honey, and maple syrup. It is the perfect sauce for pairing with bacon, lettuce and tomatoes! This sauce may be making more appearances with other recipes. It would be great for grilled chicken, salmon, etc.

Add the "glue" on both sides of the bread, so everything holds together well.

Slice your tomatoes not too thick and not too thin. A good slice. Be sure to salt and pepper your tomatoes, on the sandwich. This will up their summery flavor, not that I know anything about that....

The bacon I used was also from Trader Joe's --- their Applewood Smoked Bacon is de-lish! I bake my bacon in the oven, at 350˚ for about 15-18 minutes, or until it's to my crispy liking.

Pile those pieces on there. BLTs with two pieces of bacon isn't a BLT. If you are going to have a BLT, have one. With lots of bacon. Just like butter, you can't go wrong.

Romaine lettuce works well in a BLT.
1. It has the same shape as this bread
2. It fits well "over" the bacon and tomato.
Romaine lettuce "arcs" a bit, and fits perfectly on top, like a little chapeau!

Flip your other piece of bread over, and slice in half. I used toothpicks to hold my halves together while I sliced with a serrated bread knife.

This was yummy. Very yummy. The bread was a little too crispy for me, but when I sliced the crusts off on mine, it was easier to eat. Buddy wanted a big ole bite, he waited patiently...

P.S. This is where I take most of my food photos, too! In our hallway, where we have our deck doors.

Ready for the recipe??

Classic BLT

Bacon -- however many strips you think you deserve. ;-)

Tomatoes -- a couple nice slices

Romaine lettuce -- a leaf of two will do ya!

Toasted Sourdough Bread, 2 good slices (you know how to use the toaster, right?)

The Sauce

1 TBS Duke's Lite Mayo --- you can use full fat, if you like.

1 TBS TJs Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce

1 TBS Honey

1 TBS Maple Syrup

Stir sauce till combined. Spread a good amount on either side of your toasted bread. Layer your tomatoes, bacon (lots of it.) and lettuce, ending with the other slice of bread! Serve to your hungry guests, and sit back. Enjoy the south for a moment or two!

Let me introduce you to...

the Summer with TJs Team Bloggers!

*side note we don't really work for Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's has never heard of us. We just love them. A lot.*